In Memory of Alex Tatum

Dr. Alex P. Tatum, a decades-long resident of Alaska, was born January 7, 1949, to his parents Moir and Nellie (née Duvall) Tatum in Goochland, Virginia. Surrounded by family, his adventurous spirit left this earth on September 2, 2024.

Alex spent the last year under medical care in Washington, which left his family and him with additional medical and living costs to facilitate his care. Donations will be used to defer the cost to his hospice away from his beloved home in Alaska. To honor Alex’s memory, a viewing service will be held at Cedar Lawns Memorial Park on Sunday, September 8, 2024, from 12 to 4 pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation.

A celebration of life will later be held in Alaska, date TBD.

Alex dedicated his life to serving others through his deep Christian faith, community work, and lifelong commitment to personal integrity and kindness. He lived out his beliefs through active participation in his church, Grace Community International. His faith was the foundation of his life and shaped how he treated others - with love, grace, respect, and selflessness.

He served as a long-time educator and administrator throughout rural Alaska. He served in various aspects of school administration and education, most notably as a special education teacher and as superintendent of the Kashunamiut School District. He was a principal of Yukon Koyukuk School District and for Family Partnership Charter School in the Anchorage School District (ASD). He was Chairman of the ASD Migrant Education Board and ASD representative on the State of Alaska Migrant Education Board. He loved and respected the Alaskan people, partaking in the Alaskan villages’ culture, including Chevak, Kaltag, Emmonak, Holy Cross, and numerous others.

Alex loved the diversity of the Anchorage community and was an active member of the Gateway Rotary Club. He embodied the spirit of service in everything he did, exemplified the motto, “Service above Self,” and contributed countless hours to community projects and charitable initiatives. His leadership, humility, and tireless work ethic left an indelible mark on everyone he worked alongside.

Alex mentored many as a proud Scoutmaster of the Boy Scouts of America, emphasizing the importance of character, responsibility, and service to others. He personally represented the 12 points of the Scout Law.

Alex directed numerous non-profits with tribal village corporations, including the Ketchikan Indian Corporation, Western Alaska Village Enterprises (WAVE Stores Inc.), and Yukaana Development Corporation. His commitment to these organizations and others is a reflection of the values he held dear: honesty, compassion, and dedication to the common good. He also enjoyed the Denali wilderness as a National Park Ranger and participated in unique endeavors such as mushing the Iditarod and managing the Tazlina Glacier Lodge.

Alex also was a proud husband and father and a beloved grandfather/Lolo. He is survived by his wife Pearl, his eight children Cherise (Dan), Claire (Carl), Joenathan (Paulina), Cicely (Walter), Jordan (Tess), Jareth, Jacob, and James; brothers Calvin and Beunice, and sister Dr. Mary Chappell (Douglas); 12 grandchildren, various nieces and nephews, and numerous cousins and relatives in Virginia, North Carolina, Colorado, and across the country, including Joan Tatum, Jeanette Graham, Ronald Clanton, and Bert Clanton.

Alex lived a life to be proud of, is deeply loved, and will be dearly missed.